Mickelberry's 1968 explosion

Chicago Tribune historical photo

Standing beside a battered and scorched firetruck on Halsted Street, a firefighter tries to keep his balance in the first moments after a large explosion from the Mickelberry Food Products factory. The firefighter was one of the many injured when the engulfed factory exploded on Feb. 7, 1968.

Standing beside a battered and scorched firetruck on Halsted Street, a firefighter tries to keep his balance in the first moments after a large explosion from the Mickelberry Food Products factory. The firefighter was one of the many injured when the engulfed factory exploded on Feb. 7, 1968.

(Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Standing beside a battered and scorched firetruck on Halsted Street, a firefighter tries to keep his balance in the first moments after a large explosion from the Mickelberry Food Products factory. The firefighter was one of the many injured when the engulfed factory exploded on Feb. 7, 1968.